Where to Snowshoe at Ski Resorts

We asked five ski resorts where runners can head out on snowshoes.

If you find yourself on a ski trip or just in a winter resort town, and you want to go for a run, where should you go? Sure, a hotel or gym treadmill will get the job done, but what about running outside? On snow?

Part of the beauty of snowshoeing is that you can walk, hike, or run virtually anywhere there’s snow. However, breaking fresh snow in an un-groomed area is no joke—you may exhaust yourself within minutes.

Many downhill ski resorts also have Nordic centers that not only have designated snowshoe trails, but they rent snowshoes. Some even rent snowshoes specifically for running (but you can run on any snowshoes that feel small enough.)

And, aside from trails at Nordic centers, packed trails popular for snowmobiling and ski touring work great, too.

We asked five ski resorts around the country their recommendations on where runners can head out on snowshoes for a fun, outdoor workout with the fresh air and scenery you just don’t get on a treadmill.

BEAVER CREEK, COLORADOSituated halfway up Colorado’s Beaver Creek Resort is McCoy Park and its 32-K of groomed and un-groomed trails for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. With a starting elevation of 9,840 feet, McCoy Park’s high point of 10,200 feet offers stellar views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. But, be cautious when running—and hiking—at altitude.

Try the Middle Atlas Traverse trail to the Upper Atlas Traverse, connecting to Lower Atlas Traverse and then to Buckskin, back to the top of Chair 12. This loop has a mix of uphill and downhill, plus some great views.

Beaver Creek’s Nordic Sports Center (at the base of the resort, in the Strawberry building) rents running-specific snowshoes, and charges $30 for a trail pass. From there, hop on the Strawberry Park Lift/Chair 12 to get to McCoy Park.

Races… Beaver Creek Resort hosts three 5-K and 10-K races each season. For more information on the race series, click here.

DEER VALLEY, UTAHThis skier-only (snowboarders aren’t allowed) resort has a range of options, from the Snowtop Trail/Snowtop - Solamere Loop that starts at the St. Regis Deer Valley and meanders through lush woodland and open vistas, with views of the Jordanelle Reservoir to the east, Deer Valley ski runs to the south, and lower Deer Valley to the west. This trail can be done in an out-and-back, or, runners/hikers can connect to the Solamere Trail for a loop that finishes at the St. Regis. (Bonus: the hotel has complimentary hot cocoa and/or champagne for guests and non-guests alike.)

Also in the area is Matt’s Flat Trail. Park at Round Valley Way to access this gentle, groomed trail that meanders through Park City’s dedicated open space at Round Valley.

Or, hit the Mid Mountain Trail, accessible from Deer Valley’s Empire Lodge. The Mid Mountain Trail is distinguished as one of the elite IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) “Epic Trails” for mountain biking in summer, and the Mid Mountain Marathon takes place on this trail in the fall.

BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADOColorado’s summit county boasts four ski resorts—Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin. The on-mountain Nordic Center at Breckenridge has snowshoe trails, as does nearby Gold Run Nordic Center, and trails outside of the Nordic areas abound. The Peaks Trail runs nine miles between the town of Breckenridge and the town of Frisco. An out-and-back from either end offers rolling terrain on this snow-covered trail.

Off the mountain, Boreas Pass Road dead-ends into a gate, which begins access to a snow-covered, graded road popular with touring skiers and snowshoers alike. (And, there’s a bus line that will take you there from downtown Breck.)

The B&B Trail, accessed from the lower trailhead on French Gulch Road, is a double-track trail that’s usually fairly packed down for good snowshoe running.

Races: Summit County hosts snowshoe races and events throughout the year, and hosted the National Snowshoe Championship at the Frisco Nordic Center in 2012.

KILLINGTON, VERMONTBoth the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail go through Killington Peak at this Vermont resort, and are popular for snowshoeing and summer running (though, be prepared for a lot of vertical).

Outside of the resort, the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (“VAST”) non-profit organization grooms trails for snowmobiling throughout the winter, which doubles as incredible terrain for a winter run.

And, at the base of the Killington Access Road is Mountain Meadows, with its 30 kilometers of groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Mountain Meadows does offer snowshoe rentals; however, they are more for causal hiking as opposed to running. Based in North Bennington, Vermont, DION Snowshoes sells their running and racing models.

Race: Pittsfield, Vermont (a couple miles north of Killington) hosts its Peak Races on March 2, including an ultramarathon (100 miles), marathon, half-marathon and a 6-mile fun run.

NORTHSTAR, CALIFORNIAThis Lake Tahoe resort’s Cross Country, Telemark, and Snowshoe Center—and 31-K of trails—is located at mid-mountain next to the Vista Express Quad chairlift. Trail passes at Northstar cost $27 (if you already have a downhill lift ticket for the day, know that it works on the Cross Country trails, too). The Center rents Atlas Run Speed model snowshoes.

If you’re going to just snowshoe, purchase your trail pass at the season pass office in the village before heading up the Big Springs Express Gondola to the Nordic Center.

Try the Forest, Sawmill Flats, Lumberjack, or Tahoe trails.

Race: A three-event Snowshoe Social and Race Series (5-K, 10-K and 21-K distances) happens throughout each winter, as does a Snowshoe Skills and Running Clinic. For more information, click here.

If you’re traveling to a ski area that we didn’t mention, consider asking about dedicated snowshoe trails, or popular snowmobiling or winter ski touring and/or hiking trails. Outfitters who rent equipment are often good sources on where to find a good place to run.

And if you’ve had a good, snowy run at a resort we didn’t mention, share the info below!